Melissa's Leadership Journey

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ACT Change

In the article, “Changing Others Through Changing Ourselves,” the authors describe a new set of principles that are grounded in just that: in order to change others, we must first change ourselves. This change within ourselves involves aligning our vision for the common good, which in turn attracts followers to change themselves to achieve the new vision. This set of principles consists of the following:

Seeks to create an emergent system

Recognizes hypocrisy and patterns of self-deception

Personal change through value clarification and alignment of behaviors

Frees oneself from the system of external sanctions

Developes a vision for the common good

Takes action to the edge of chaos

Maintains reverence for the others involved in change

Inspires others to enact their best selves

Models counterintuitive, paradoxical behavior

Changes self and system

These principles were derived from practice theories obtained from looking at similarities between Jesus, Gandhi, and Martin Luther King, Jr.

This type of leaderships doesn’t let excuses (or other defense mechanisms) get in the way. With ACT Change, it is important to recognize not just that we want to change, but to make that next step toward taking action to get there. Our behavior needs to become more purposeful rather than self interested, which means being open and inclusive and doing what is right regardless of rules, laws, etc. Most of us will never achieve this type of leadership, but it doesn’t hurt to strive for it and I’m sure it will make us better leaders in the process.